Patient in Affliction

One time recently, I was reading Romans 12:12 and was struck by how I am supposed to respond to affliction:

“Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer” (NIV).

Patient?

When I wake up on the wrong side of the bed, it’s raining outside, and I have a headache from listening to the early morning chatter of four little girls, I have to admit that I don’t feel too patient. I am quick to admit that I’m “afflicted,” and I might even pray about it — that God would remove it, that is!

But patient?

As in, patiently endure through it? Nope, not too often.

So I started doing an experiment. When I was tempted to grumble and complain — or even sincerely pray for God to remove affliction — I instead starting thinking about being patient in my affliction.

The headache would start pounding. “Father,” I would pray, “My head really hurts. I know you could take this headache away, but will you please help me be patient until You do?”

Patience made a big difference in my attitude! 🙂

My husband preached on the “measure of faith” that God has given to each of us (Romans 12:3). I thought about that. When I’m impatient and complaining, I am telling God that I don’t have faith in Him, and that I don’t believe He will really come through on His promises to me.

I don’t want to be grumbly. I don’t want to be a complainer. I want to be filled with faith in God!

My husband reminded us that “faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God” (Romans 10:17, NKJV). God gives a greater measure of faith to me when I “hear” the Word of God.

Unfortunately, sometimes when I hear the Word, I’m like the man whose heart was “rocky soil,” in the parable Jesus told. He “hears the word and at once receives it with joy. But since he has no root, he lasts only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, he quickly falls away” (Matthew 13:20-21, NIV).

So why does God allow trouble or persecution anyway?

Lamentations 3:33 says that God “does not willingly bring affliction or grief to the children of men” (NIV). Yet we are sinners and have rebelled against Him. He would not be a righteous God if He did not punish us (see 2 Thessalonians 1:6). So some of our troubles come as a consequence of our sin.

“Who can speak and have it happen if the Lord has not decreed it? Is it not from the mouth of the Most High that both calamities and good things come? Why should any living man complain when punished for his sins?

Let us examine our ways and test them, and let us return to the LORD. Let us lift up our hearts and our hands to God in heaven, and say: ‘We have sinned and rebelled and you have not forgiven'” (Lamentations 3:37-42, NIV).

John 3:19-20 says that affliction, in the form of persecution, comes as a result of sharing the light of the gospel with unbelievers, because it shows people their sin. Who likes that? So we shouldn’t be surprised that they don’t react very well.

“Light has come into the world, but men loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that his deeds will be exposed” (John 3:19-20, NIV).

“Why did [Cain] murder [his brother]? Because his own actions were evil and his brother’s were righteous. Do not be surprised, my brothers, if the world hates you” (1 John 3:12-13, NIV).

“Dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you” (1 Peter 4:12, NIV).

Ephesians 3:13 tells us that sufferings help us bring eternal glory to others.

“I ask you, therefore, not to be discouraged because of my sufferings for you, which are your glory” (NIV).

Paul went through some major suffering as a result of bringing the gospel to the Gentiles (2 Corinthians 6:3-10), but amazingly, he claimed that these were just “light and momentary troubles,” worth enduring because of the eternal glories of heaven brought to the lost.

“Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal” (2 Corinthians 4:16-18, NIV).

So how should I act when hard times come?

“Be patient” (Romans 12:12). Why? Because it shows love to others.

“Rejoice” (Romans 5:3). Why? Because we hope in the glory of God, another reference to eternity.

“Be of good cheer” (John 16:33). Why? Because Jesus has overcome the world.

Comments

Thank you for your honest look at our sinfulness. It is so refreshing to read your confession of your own sin and your battle with it. Rather than just giving us the “right answers”, you entered into the trenches, showed your scars, and shared your hope. Thank you!

Thank you Anne for your thoughts on affliction.
I am 69 years old and have suffered with ME symptoms of muscle pain and brain fatigue on and off for nearly 20 years. This has been a real test for me over all these years. But my faith has carried me through Praise God.
I used to think Rom 12-12 very hard to understand, how we are to be patient in affliction, ( thinking affliction as illness, where as you mentioned it as being patient over family trials. I hope I haven’t got hold of the wrong end of the stick here.
As having a long term illness needs much patience. I thank God that I have a very understanding husband. God Bless you, Beryl Rose

I wrote this 6 years ago, and in the meantime, I also have had some serious, chronic health problems. Let’s just say that I *still* struggle being “patient” in affliction, and I cannot even imagine how difficult it is for you as well. One thing that has given me hope is that this life is just temporary. There will be a resurrection, and we will have new bodies. I eagerly await that day, to say the least! Hugs,~Anne

Thank you for sharing…I have a one year old daughter out of wedlock and her dad isn’t keeping in touch at all. It hurts…I want to call and explode ….but I didn’t do the right thing either….Thanks for sharing that some of our trouble comes as a consequence of sin. Like you, I want this to pass quickly and immediate deliverance but ‘be patient in affliction’ kept ringing in my head. I googled it and came up with your blog. It was just what I needed to calm down. Thank you, Lord!

Welcome!

Hi, my name is Anne. While you’re sipping on a nice cup of something hot, you’ll find lots of help for wives and moms — all about how to find joy in your marriage, parenting, homeschooling, and homemaking. My goal is to always point you to Scripture, so grab your Bible!